Inserting apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for inserting a stack of items into an envelope. A plurality of bank checks are serially fed, counted, and stacked at a receiving and stacking station while simultaneously an envelope is fed to an insertion station. A counter visually displays the number of the counted checks and after a predetermined number have been fed, counted, and stacked, a bank statement is fed and folded and simultaneously an enclosure is fed to the stack of checks at the stacking station by pairs of endless transport belts. A document depressor exerts force downwardly upon the folded statement, enclosure, and plurality of checks, pressing those items into a compressed stack whereupon a ram carrying an adjustable finger moves forward between the document depressor and compressed stack of items. The finger carried by the ram abuts against the long edge of the stack to insert the stack into the envelope at the insertion station.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of items into an envelope comprising: A. means for simultaneously inserting into an envelope a stack of a plurality of first items and a second folded item,   B. means for receiving and stacking said first and second items, said receiving and stacking means comprising a stop finger disposed in a path of travel of said plurality of first items and means for depressing said stack of said plurality of first items and said second item, said depressing means being operable after said items have been received at said stacking and receiving means,   C. means for serially feeding and counting said plurality of first items from a supply thereof to said receiving and stacking means,   D. means for visually displaying the number of said first items counted by said feeding and counting means,   E. means for folding a second item and for feeding said second item from a supply thereof to said receiving and stacking means, and   F. means for actuating said folding means, said depressing means, and said inserting means in sequence after said first items have been counted and fed to said receiving and stacking means whereby said second item is folded and fed to said receiving and stacking means and said inserting means thereafter simultaneously inserts said stack of said plurality of first items and said second item into said envelope.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 where said means for inserting said stack of items comprises movable ram means having A. a portion thereof engageable with the upper surface of said stack of items to maintain said stack depressed during insertion thereof into said envelope, and   B. a finger adjustably mounted on said ram means for engaging the rear edge of said stack of items to push said stack beyond said receiving and stacking means and into said envelope as said ram means moves toward said envelope.   
     
     
       3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for supporting in line said inserting means, said receiving and stacking means, said means for feeding said plurality of first items, and said means for folding and feeding a second item. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said visual display means is affixed to said second item folding and feeding means. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for feeding a third item from a supply thereof to said receiving and stacking means.